The Australian consulate in Ho Chi Minh City will organize a cooking contest in June as part of its celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Aust-Viet Junior Chef Challenge will be open to Vietnamese children aged 10 to 12, not unlike the reality show Junior MasterChef Australia.

Australian consul John McAnulty said: "We believe the contest will offer a great opportunity for the kids to do something different.

"Even if they don't win, they may go on to something bigger such as being a chef at some top hotels, top restaurants or open their own restaurants, or even become an international chef."

The top 14 will go through to the final, participate in a cooking class with Vietnamese-Australian chef Nhut Huynh, and compete for team and individual titles.

Sydney-based chef Nhut, a renowned chef who wrote the book "Little Vietnam" about Vietnamese cuisine, will teach the children how to use premium Australian beef and lamb to create Vietnamese dishes such as Australian beef fillet salad with Lemongrass and Australian lamb on sugarcane.

Nhut will also conduct public cooking demonstrations.

Trainee chefs at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a local charity that provides training in hospitality to disadvantaged youth, will also have the opportunity to learn from him.

KOTO will also support the Aust-Viet Junior Chef Challenge by providing facilities at it training center in HCMC.